How To Make Patio Doors Look More Expensive

July 21, 2014

A few months back, our front door handle broke and we couldn’t get in or out of our front door. Then, a few weeks later, our living room patio door knob broke too. #frustrated

I felt like the door knob curse had set in. There for a while, every time I went to Home Depot, I was buying a new door knob. And even though I wanted to be frustrated about spending money to replace doors knobs that only lasted 3 years, I went with it and decided to jazz up our patio doors in the living room with a new matching pair of handles.

So today, it’s all about how to make patio doors look more expensive & custom. I’ve always liked the look of both doors having a handle, but it really wasn’t practical since only one side actually opens from the handle. The other side has a latch you have to pull up to open the door. But from the looks of it, you’d never know…

While I was at Home Depot searching the lock aisle, I ran into these lovely handles. I bought one keyed entry, for the door that actually opens with the handle, then I bought one hall & closet handle, which we used on the other door…

And since our door only had one knob to begin with…

Anthony replaced the first knob with the new locking handle set, then measured and drilled a hole for the new “fake” handle…

Then, he installed the new handle…

And because there wasn’t anything to add the latch to for the second handle, we didn’t use any of the inside “guts” that came with it…

So basically, the second handle is only for looks. It turns, but won’t open anything. It only looks like it will. Sneaky, sneaky!

Adding the second handle really made the doors look more expensive and custom, which is exactly what I was going for…

Plus, I love the arch style design on the handles…

They’ve made all the difference…

And just like that, in under 15 minutes, we have a pair of patio doors that look much more custom! Now I just need to scrape the over-spray paint from the rubber seal at the bottom of each door…. 3 years later! 😀

#babysteps

P.S.- This wasn’t a sponsored post from Home Depot or Kwikset, I just loved these handles and thought I’d share!

Gorgeous! Your doors look beautiful! Next time save some money and buy a dummy handle. It’s made for applications like this and for doors that latch with a top of the door latch, such as my pantry doors. They have no inner workings at all, therefore cheaper.

Gorgeous! Your doors look beautiful! Next time save some money and buy a dummy handle. It’s made for applications like this and for doors that latch with a top of the door latch, such as my pantry doors. They have no inner workings at all, therefore cheaper. Dummy handles don’t need a hole either, except for 2 small screws. That will save labor as well.

We did the exact same thing with the french doors in our bedroom and the exterior set in the family room. Such a great fix!! You’re ahead of me though.. the set in the bedroom would need paint on them, to scrape off. I dread the taping off and/or the scrapping, so far I have successfully ignored them! (classic style with all the girds) Ugh.

Your new door handles look great Shayna. Our internal French doors are the same, only one really works, but they look great on both doors. Great choice going with the black ones too! Best wishes, Julie

Your mind must never stop creating or designing. I’d love to have just a small slice of you creative mind for myself This is a brilliant idea that makes an incredible difference. Who would have thought your doors could look so expensive just by adding a fake handle!?!?! Another wonderful project Shayna!

They are beautiful and such a smart idea. I can’t quite tell if they are black or oil rubbed bronze from the photos. Do you mind telling me? I’m debating between the two for my entire house and can’t quite decide………..thanks for all of your creativity!